International Paper Agrees to Sell Coated & SC Papers Business for $1.4B

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Press release from the issuing company

STAMFORD, Conn., June -- International Paper has signed a definitive agreement to sell its coated and supercalendered papers business to CMP Holdings LLC, an affiliate of Apollo Management L.P. for approximately $1.4 billion, subject to certain post- closing adjustments. The coated and supercalendered papers business includes four paper mills, located in Jay, Maine; Bucksport, Maine; Quinnesec, Mich.; and Sartell, Minn., and generated $1.6 billion in sales in 2005. The transaction is expected to close in mid-summer 2006, subject to various closing conditions including receipt of financing, regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
The purchase price consists of approximately $1.37 billion in cash plus approximately $30 million in the form of a 10-percent limited partnership interest in CMP Investments LP, the parent company of CMP Holdings LLC. This interest includes the right to receive certain additional payments contingent upon the buyer's achievement of certain investment return hurdles.
The transaction is part of IP's previously announced transformation plan to focus on uncoated papers and industrial and consumer packaging globally. Expected proceeds from divestitures announced to date, including coated papers, are approximately $9.1 billion.
"The coated papers sale agreement is another important step in transforming International Paper to narrow our focus, strengthen our returns and improve value for our shareowners," said John Faraci, IP chairman and chief executive. "Our coated papers unit is a good business, with talented leadership, excellent employees, quality brands and an outstanding customer base. This business has been an important contributor to International Paper, and we expect it will continue to thrive under new ownership."
"We are excited to be purchasing International Paper's Coated and SC Paper business, an asset with a leadership position in the North American coated papers markets," said Scott Kleinman, a partner at Apollo Management. "We view the company as an excellent business and look forward to the opportunity to invest alongside a strong management team with whom we will work to grow the business and realize the full potential of the company's leading market positions."
International Paper's coated and supercalendered papers business annually produces approximately 2 million tons of coated freesheet and coated groundwood papers for the magazine, catalog and retail insert markets. Its brands include Advocate, Influence, Liberty(TM), Savvy, Trilogy and Velocity(TM). The business, headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., employs approximately 3,000 people.